Hypoglycemia - A Common Problem In The Toy Dog By Connie Limon At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

One of the main things a new owner needs to take precautions against is a new puppy developing hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. Hypoglycemia can occur without much warning and within hours of a puppy going to a new home, missing a meal, or does not eat full meals, gets chilled, overtired or exhausted from too much handling or playing. It occurs more in the toy breeds, but can also occur in larger breeds. Signs are a depressed affect or mood, weakness, wobbly gait, jerky, lethargic. The neck may get stiff. The head may appear to be tilted to either the left or right and teeth may be clamped tightly together. These are all signs this puppy is having a drop in their sugar level and if left untreated will progress to convulsions, seizures or coma and can then be fatal.

If any of these symptoms are present, take your puppy to the nearest vet or animal emergency center. If this is not possible or on the way to the vet, if you have white Karo syrup or can get this quickly. Mix the white Karo syrup with water and place on the puppy's tongue with a dropper or just place some syrup on your finger and rub on the puppy's gums. Do not put excessive amounts in the puppy's mouth, as the puppy can choke. Nutri-cal is the best to keep in a household of canines or puppies. Nutri-cal gives quick results and gets into the bloodstream within seconds. Dosage instructions is on the tube. You can give Nutri-cal using a syringe. Take out the plunger, place the opening of the Nutri-cal tube at the opening of the syringe and squeeze in the Nutri-cal to the specified dosage. Then squirt it a small amount at a time into the puppy's mouth. If your puppy has had a low blood sugar attack, using Pedyalite instead of water helps with any dehydration.

Prevention:

Add one tqblespoon of honey or sugar to every 16 ounces of water. Keep plain drinking water available as well. Leave food out 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for a puppy just arriving home up until at least 12 weeks of age and sometimes beyond this if the puppy is a very tiny size. Never feed chocolate, fried foods or milk. Do not allow puppy to become over-chilled or tired. Let your new puppy rest and become acustomed to his new home. Give puppy Nutri-cal, about one inch every 6 hours for at least 48 hours in a new home and if you begin to see puppy acting very lethargic, give Nutri-cal.

What should you have ready for a new puppy:

Food breeder had puppy on.

If you plan to change puppy's food, you still need to have a small bag of breeder's brand to mix with your brand until you have weaned puppy off breeder's brand of food.

Always keep Nutri-cal

Water Bottles

A Housebreaking Crate

Soft Blankets and Quilts

Non-slip steel bowls (a good brand can be found at Flint River Ranch

Gourmet Dental Treats from HealthyPetNet

Ear Care Formula (I strongly recommend the formula from HealthyPetNet) Brushes, combs and a good tearless shampoo

These are just a few items to have ready for the arrival of a new puppy. Ask your breeder for anything else he/she would recommend you have. Most important is to have the Nutri-cal and to give Nutri-cal especially to the tiny toy breeds.

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